Representatives  of the Naples and Campania Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, led by the Delegate, Count Gianluigi Gaetani dell’Aquila d’Aragona dei Duchi di Laurenzana (of the Dukes of Laurenzana), Knight of Justice, visited the “Don Tonino Bello” House of Peace in Naples, Italy on Tuesday, 25 November 2025. The Delegation chose to support this family home by “adopting” its project and fully embracing its mission.

The leaders of the facility commented on the Order’s gesture of support with these words:
“This gesture confirms how essential it is to build networks, to unite strengths and values in order to generate a concrete and lasting impact. Because only through knowledge can we act: only through collaboration, dialogue, and mutual support can we build paths that lead to real change. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your trust and for choosing to walk alongside us.”

The Constantinian Order, historically linked to the Royal House of the Two Sicilies and deeply rooted in the City of Naples, is a religious equestrian order that promotes community activities inspired by Christian principles. The Knights and Dames carry out activities at the community level, including charitable initiatives, assistance, solidarity, social and humanitarian engagement, as well as promoting liturgical celebrations, spiritual initiatives, cultural events, conferences, and historical, artistic, and educational activities.

Don Tonino Bello

Declared Venerable by Pope Francis on 25 November 2021, the beatification process of Don Tonino Bello, Bishop of Molfetta–Ruvo–Giovinazzo–Terlizzi, is currently underway. A pastor, poet, and prophet of peace, he is remembered for his tireless commitment to the poor, the promotion of nonviolence, the founding of the journal Mosaico di Pace, and the spread of a culture of simplicity and solidarity.

The Home’s Location

The “Don Tonino Bello” House of Peace is hosted in the facilities of the Parish of Saints John and Paul, at Via Ignazio Falconieri 42. The spaces, formerly used as a reformatory for minors and later as a school and as headquarters for an AGESCI scout group, have been renovated and adapted for hospitality.

The structure was inaugurated on 29 July 2022 by Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, in the presence of the Mayor of Naples, Eng. Gaetano Manfredi, under the coordination of Sister Marisa Pitrella. During the inauguration, in the parish church, Cardinal Battaglia presided over the celebration of Holy Mass and formally entrusted the leadership of the House to the parish priest, Father Salvatore Melluso, who concelebrated.

The parish complex of Saints John and Paul, located at the end of Via Arenaccia toward Calata Capodichino, in the small square of Piazza Ottocalli, includes the liturgical hall, the rectory, the parish office, catechism rooms, a theater, the hospitality facility, and restrooms.

Piazza Ottocalli is a distinctive square in central Naples, where four major roads of the city converge. It is located in the densely populated San Giovanniello district of the San Carlo all’Arena neighborhood, part of the Third Municipality of Naples.

An undertaking born from Providence

Father Salvatore Melluso has described the House as “a dream come true,” realized in extraordinarily short time since his arrival in the parish in October 2021. “There is no vocation, no priestly ministry without attention to the poor,” he says. When he arrived, the idea was born to make good use of these abandoned rooms, uninhabited for many years in one wing of the parish. On the day of the inauguration, Cardinal Battaglia spoke of a “dream of God that has come to life” and, in the year marked by the war between Russia and Ukraine, he evoked through its name the theme of peace and the much-loved figure of Bishop Don Tonino Bello. “Just think of the extremely rapid timeline of its realization to see this house as a sign of Providence. It may have been my dream and that of our Archbishop, but given how it all unfolded, we believe the Lord wanted this work. Even amid many difficulties, I think of my vocation born among the poor and children, and I am so happy to live 24 hours a day with the poor and with children,” Father Melluso noted.

The need took shape with the arrival in Italy of numerous Ukrainian refugees—especially mothers with children—fleeing the war. At Cardinal Battaglia’s urging, a renovation project was prepared, which was quite costly. The Cardinal reassured him, saying that “Providence would provide.” And so it was: the work was funded by the 8xmille Church tax contributions and by the Grimaldi Foundation Onlus.

The management of the House, supported exclusively by benefactors, 8xmille funds, and the diocesan Caritas, depends on the generosity and sensitivity of a team of staff members who take care of daily life in the House, its reception activities, and support for the mothers staying there, with the collaboration of numerous volunteers who offer their time, skills, and hearts, responding together with Parish Priest Father Salvatore Melluso to the needs of the structure.

From the beginning, the community of the San Giovanniello district, despite widespread hardships, welcomed this charitable initiative with great openness, actively participating in a shared journey of solidarity. The House also hosts young people from the National Civil Service, who live a unique experience of growth and service alongside the least fortunate.

The visit of the Constantinian delegation

In a meeting with the Delegate, Cardinal Battaglia had expressed appreciation for the involvement of the Constantinian Order in support of the House, inviting him to learn more about its activities.

The visiting delegation included the Delegate, accompanied by his wife Donna Annalisa, the Acting Secretary General Don Antonio Masselli, Knight of Jure Sanguinis, and the Acting Head of Operational Activities, Avv. Valeria Pessetti, Dame of Merit with Silver Star.

The delegation was welcomed by Father Salvatore Melluso, who described the mission of the House, which currently hosts eight mothers and thirteen children who have experienced terrible situations such as war, persecution, exploitation, and more. Father Melluso explained that the House was established in response to needs that arose after the first war between Ukraine and Russia, when many Ukrainian refugees came to Italy—especially mothers with children who had escaped the war, lost everything, and needed everything: a bed and a safe place to stay, shoes, clothing, food, and all that is necessary for survival. That was the spark that led to the idea of creating a hospitality home in the parish premises. At the urging of Cardinal Battaglia, Father Melluso drew up a renovation project costing more than 200,000 euros. When informed, the Cardinal replied that “Providence would directly take care of it.” And so it was. The work was begun and completed thanks to cooperation between the Curia, using 8xmille funds, and the Grimaldi Foundation Onlus, which financed the renovation of the building. No public funds were received either for the renovation or the ongoing management of the House.

The Delegate, after briefly explaining the history and charism of the Constantinian Order, confirmed the Delegation’s concrete support for the current and future needs of the House. He also assured access to medical and dental care through the Santa Maria della Misericordia Foundation, which he chairs, with particular attention to a two-year-old child with Down syndrome.

Afterwards, Father Melluso guided the Constantinian delegation on a tour of the House, meeting the staff and volunteers and the eight mothers currently staying there—some Italian, most foreign—together with their thirteen children, five boys:

  • Rabah, 10, from Algeria

  • Souleyman, 4, from Guinea

  • Salvatore, 7, from Italy

  • Saif, 2, from Tunisia

  • Haron, 1, from Tunisia

and eight girls:

  • Isabela, 13, from Albania

  • Aurora, 9, from Italy

  • Nicoletta, 9, from Italy

  • Praise, 2½, from Nigeria

  • Almas, 1, from Algeria

  • Alima, 10 months, from Guinea

  • Loise, 6 months, from Ivory Coast

  • Dina, 5 months, from Algeria

During the visit, members of the Constantinian delegation gave the children gifts: Advent calendars with chocolates for the older ones and toys for the younger ones. It was a moment of great emotion, where the smiles of the children and their mothers testified to the power of solidarity and the beauty of shared hope.